COMMERCIAL
GUIDE FOR SERVICES
IN THE CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
The following are needed to open a business within the
city limits:
Business License: range from $40 up*
Weddings: $40
Trades Contractor (each trade)$50
General Contractor (project) $100
Most retail & restaurant $50
Most restaurants $75
Tourist lodgings $75
Larger lodgings $100
Professional services $125
Banks $200
(General
guideline; prices may vary according to specifics of the business)
Business licenses are required for ALL those conducting
business in Eureka Springs, even if based elsewhere. If trade licenses are required by the state
of
Must pass a safety inspection by City Building Official and Fire Marshall
Fee: $50
Restaurants must pass semi-annual grease trap inspections by Building Official ($30)
Special Permits are required for some businesses. Before being issued they require a public hearing and approval by Eureka Springs City Council. Those businesses include: Animal-Drawn Vehicles Operated For Hire, Sightseeing Tours; Taxicabs, others.
www.Arkansas.gov is a web site guide to all state-related information and has many necessary forms on-line.
The number and size of allowable signs are determined by City Ordinance according to the zone in which the business is located.
See Municipal Code, Chapter 86, Signs on website www.cityofeurekasprings.org
Zoning Maps are located in City Hall.
Sign Permits: $20+
Note: some types of signage are not allowed.
All signs must have an HDC Certificate of Appropriateness if within the Historic District (see below).
The Eureka Springs Historic District Commission does exterior design review for ALL properties in the Historic
District, regardless of age of property or zoning. The Historic District includes most of the land
within the city limits. ALL exterior
features of a
property are subject to the design review procedures of the Eureka Springs
Historic District Commission, including signage.
The ES HDC bases their decisions on the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Eureka Springs Historic District Guidelines.
Both are available on the City’s web site www.cityofeurekasprings.org.
The HDC meets on first and third Wednesdays at
No fee.
Enforcement is by Building Official. Appeals
to
Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment: grants or denies requests for
Conditional Use Permit $75
Zoning Variance $75
Rezoning $75
Tree Removal Permit (over 10 trees) $50
Sign Variance $50
This commission meets second and fourth Thursdays of each
month at
Eureka Springs Zoning Districts:
R-1 Victorian Residential
R-2 Contemporary Residential
R-3 Multiple-Family Residential
C-1 Victorian Commercial
C-2 Contemporary Commercial
C-3 Quiet Use Commercial
I Industrial
A Agricultural
MHP
See Municipal Code, Chapter CD114: Zoning.
Note for those interested in residential neighborhood lodgings: Bed & Breakfasts located in R-1 districts require a Conditional Use Permit. A new CUP will not be granted for a same use within 200 feet. A few B&B’s and Tourist Lodgings have a “grandfathered” CUP. All others are treated as new applicants when property is sold and must reapply for a CUP, which does not pass with the property title. (No new CUPs will be issued for Overnight Tourist Lodgings in R-1. Former Overnight Tourist Lodgings in R-1 whose licenses have lapsed will not be reissued a CUP; those with current licenses are not subject to this restriction when ownership changes.)
Tourism-Based Businesses
City Advertising and Promotion Commission, POB 522,
Directs advertising and promotion
activities for the City of
Responsible for collection of 2% CAPC tax; check to
see if your business is required to collect
Web listings for CAC collectors, attractions,
services: www.eurekasprings.org
Free email sign-up for notification of city-wide
events & activities:
Answers general questions about Eureka Springs,
specific questions about what is open, lodging availability and general tourist
information
Have easy-up tents available for public functions at
no charge. Have large (20x40) tents available for set-up fee.
Hosts toll-free information lines: 866-WISH
The Auditorium,
Hosts local and national performing
arts events. Available for private
promotions and uses. Fees.
Coordinators for city-sponsored
special events and parades.
CAPCommision meets once a month on third Thursday at
UTILITIES
City Water & Sewer: meter installation, water/sewer taps, monthly payment drop box
Also the department for:
City road and sign maintenance
Snow removal
Maintenance of sewer plant
DO NOT CALL ABOUT TRASH PICK-UP! Call CCSW, 253-2727
Trash disposal: Contact to discuss commercial collection options. Commercial accounts are not required to purchase yellow bags.
Recycling:
Cardboard: Weekly corrugated cardboard pick-up is provided at no additional charge.
Glass: Weekly glass collection for $12/month. Can drop off at
AEP- Southwestern Electric Power, 1-888/216-3523 (toll
free Customer Service)
Serves most of Eureka Springs
Carroll Electric Cooperative, 1-800-432-9720 (toll free)
Open
Arkansas Western Gas Co., 1-800-773-2113 (Customer
Service)
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Newroads Telecom, 479/263-9133
SBC
Alltel, 1-800-925-5835 (long distance)
Newroads Telecom, 479-363-9133
SBC Internet Services, 1-866- SBC-YAHOO
CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES
Cox Communication, 479-253-9146
RESOURCES
Economic Development Coordinator, City of Eureka Springs,
Available to research state
incentives for new businesses and other questions.
Coordinator for Arkansas Community
of Excellence (ACE) program.
Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and
Member-based; fees vary.
Hosts a
Hosts website: www.eurekaspringschamber.com
Hosts toll-free visitor information line:
1-800-6EUREKA
Publishes annual Visitor Information Guide,
Retirement & Relocation Guide, Wedding Guide.
Hosts annual special events for
visitors.
Offers partnership with individual business to host regular
“After-Hours” to publicize individual businesses to local community.
Publishes monthly newsletter for
members.
Offers one-on-one counseling,
seminars & conferences, resource center. Free or low
cost.
Arkansas Department of Economic Development,
Goals are to stimulate job creation, retention and
capital investment in
NEW BUSINESS CHECKLIST*
City:
____ Business/Occupation License
____ Certificate of Occupancy
____ Conditional Use Permits
____ Alcoholic Beverage License
____ Sign Permit with CofA
____ Certificate of Appropriateness
____ CAPC Tax Collection
County:
____
____ Sales and Use Tax Collection
State:
____
____ Arkansas ABC permit
*Not all apply to all businesses